June 30, 2009 - Grand Canyon... WOW!!!

Hello Everyone!!!

Oh my goddness!! This morning when we woke up, we couldn't believe that the Grand Canyon was already waiting for us!

After having breakfast, we left the hotel at 8 o'clock and headed to one of the most amazing places in the world. On the bus, we had fun exchanging experiences with our new friends from all over the world.

When we finally got there after an hour bus ride, we ran to the spot where we got the perfect view of the Grand Canyon. We were so impressed and excited to see this fantastic landscape that we had always seen only on pictures.

Thousands of pictures were taken from the very beginning. Since Raphael advised us about being tired, we bought a lot of huge bottled waters that were sold out immediately.

We took some group pictures and then started hiking down the hill into the Grand Canyon.

On the way down, the trial seemed easy but we didn't realize how it would be to come back up. We walked about one mile and a half to get to the first break point where we rested for a little bit and captured our lifelong memories in millions of pictures. Then we started going back but the way wasn't so pleased with us. We were tired and our water bottles were helpful.

It took us around two hours to reach the top. We couldn't express how tired we were but we were so glad that we got back again and could say that we DID it! We got lunch, bought some souvenirs, and then headed back home, our beloved hotel. We spent the evening relaxing and getting ready for the next exciting destination - Las Vegas!!!

Post By:

Wiganya Janwaowam, Thailand

Hiroko Koike, Japan

Marlene Till, Germany

June 29, 2009 - Phoenix to Grand Canyon

Now we already spent more than 24 hours on the West Coast, and all we can say or think is it is HOT!!!

After a quick (and good) breakfast we went on our first bus tour, with our fabulous bus drivers Willis and Kirk, to the state capital. The original State capital, nowadays just a museum, was good for much more than the picture taking and running around of 88 exchange students. After we somehow managed to get the group back together we made our way to the "Hole in The Rock" in Papago-Park which in fact is just a massive rock with a hole. Even though many people did already struggle on the way up this little hill, we had an amazing view over Phoenix and the desert. Question is how are we gonna make our way into the Grand Canyon if we had problems getting up this, in comparison, fairly small rock? haha!

After that we made our way back to the busses where everyone was ready for something refreshing, so we went to the mall. The food court probably made the most money off us exchange students, who are not at all used to Phoenix's weather. But somehow not only the food court seemed to make money from us, after reentering the busses almost everyone had at least two bags of new stuff with them. The first long bus ride was just ahead of us, it should take us only about 4 hours to get from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon.

After the bus ride full of entertaining movies, dance-offs in the middle of the bus and a lot of tired students we finally made it to our new hotel. Well this hotel should probably be called Ranch rather than Hotel, with horseback riding, loosing power, teepees and a bull. Furthermore there is a basketball court, a pool, tennis courts and tons and tons of space for us to have fun and we can do all this without being scared of getting lost or kidnapped since there is literally nothing around us. After a little bit of free time it was already time for our second dinner of this trip. And to our excitement we are going to have a talent show tomorrow, let's see what each country has to offer (btw. Germany is definitely gonna win here).

Post By:

Viktoria Stark Germany

Lennart Kretschmer Germany

June 28, 2009 - Phoenix AZ

Hello from Brooklyn! Whoops, just kidding, we are in Phoenix AZ, we left from New York this morning.

First day of our trip was outstanding! There were a lot of expectations before we came, and we were so nervous that we didn't get good sleep last night. But right now, we are in the West Coast, Yay!

We have met all the 88 students from over 24 countries. It was so hott here, like 112 f. It is very different from the east coast. We hung out in the pool to cool off.

After that we all had dinner together as a group and the food was deeeeeelicous. After that our group coordinator Raphael gave us our orientation that made us very excited for the days to come: the best days of our whole entire lives.

Peace. Love. Keep the sun in your heart.

Post By:

Augusto Lage from Brazil

Gerald Georg from France

Welcome to The West Coast Dream Trip!!

Here it is, the WEST COAST TRIP! Get ready to take in the best of the West: historical Phoenix, the amazing Grand Canyon, fabulous Las Vegas, glamorous Los Angeles, beautiful Yosemite, and funky San Francisco! It's going to be 14 days of adventure, excitement and friendship...we hope you are as excited as we are!

This blog will be our journal of all the fun things we'll be doing. Every day, we'll be posting our stories and our pictures so our familes and friends can experience the trip along with us. It's going to be a wonderful time, so get ready...IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!